The BSE benchmark index Sensex fell by 55 points in early trade today as investors booked profits after recent gains. The 30-share barometer, which rallied by 330 points in the previous session, moved down by 54, or 0.32 per cent, to 17,138 points in early trade today.In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty declined by 21.35 points, or 0.41 per cent, to 5,177 points.In the Asian region, the Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shed 0.04 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei was quoted 0.16 per cent higher in early trade.